Comments on: Parents or Paparazzi???

By: Kenton

Kenton — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:41:19 +0000

My rule is simple; I never post pictures of my kids on public sites. Partly for safety reasons, but also because I don’t need anyone having pictures of my kids to use however they decide. Have you seen the Danger Girl series of pictures (http://tinyurl.com/kvbbfa)? That’s just one example. To me, posting pictures of my kids on Flickr or similar (publicly, I have private albums on Picasa with their photos) is like posting a picture of my kids on the bulletin board of the local supermarket.

By: howefitz

howefitz — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:20:26 +0000

I am growing more comfortable with sharing information online, but Ines makes a mean point. I don’t think I’ll lessen my picture posting, but I certainly won’t increase it. I saw an article that discussed the possibility of sharing so much of yourself online that it opens you up to theft or worse. But to Jeff’s point, I think for me right now, the benefits far outweigh the possible risks. I have learned so much and met so many wonderful people through my blog and social networking that I don’t think I can stop now. It gives me hope, considering I thought our society was pulling in on itself. I thought everyone would ‘plug in’ each day and never come out. It’s good to see that plugging in being to interact with other human beings rather than with a game or news feed.

By: Tyler - Building Camelot

Tyler - Building Camelot — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:45:19 +0000

There used to be a dad at our daughter’s daycare who was like Ines…he was adamant that he would NEVER put pictures of his kids online in any shape or form. His wife, however, felt differently. I agreed with his wife but now, as the kids get older, I’ve grown increasingly concerned about what pictures and videos I share online.

I have gotten away from posting their pictures on my blog and limit it to my Facebook account…not sure if that’s the right way to do it but it seems like a happy medium.

By: 9to5to9

9to5to9 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:33:49 +0000

I’m about where you are, Jeff. I post a lot of images, both on my blog and Facebook account, though I do obscure some details about our lives. I still realize, though, that it wouldn’t take a determined tech-savvy stranger much time at all to figure out what I’m obscuring.

Aside from the vague concern that someone out there someday might use my data some day to harm my family – and I’m not dismissing the experiences of those to whom it’s happened because I’m sure I’d rethink my position if it happened to me – my concern is that I’m training my kids to be little attention junkies who mug for the camera, both video and still. Then again, I’m such a shutterbug there was a chance of that happening even if I’d never blogged.

At 3 and 5, my kids are vaguely aware that I blog – the oldest moreso – but they don’t get yet that that means their faces are online. I’m sure once they do the discussions will be interesting.

By: Ines

Ines — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:57:03 +0000

Hey Jeff – thanks for the love and let me go a little in depth about my decision. A few years back I got a mean scare from a not so friendly follower that chose to stalk me (there was even an FBI investigation). I can only say that it was then that my perspective changed – this guy knew where I lived, where I shopped, my listings, my Internet hangouts and the last thing I wanted was for him to know my kids’ names, their school and their whereabouts.

Then a healthy discussion started with Jeff Turner (who is also a contributor here, btw) – it was about what we choose to put out there for our readers and our “public light”. People know I have 3 sons and they also know where I live – imagine what that same psycho could have done if he had more information about my children? Don’t even want to go there and I know a lot of us think it will never happen to us – but the truth is that I don’t want to take the chance.

I do have photos on Flickr but they are for friends and family only – the question of where you draw the line is a very valid one – I, for one, am very happy about that scare because it made me more aware, and made me realize that we are vulnerable and our kids even more. I may be an extremist…. but….. “better safe than sorry”. (btw, JT wrote an amazing post on Active Rain about this very thing….maybe he’ll enlighten us with the link)